Our man on the barstool tells the story of the agave harvest
The last “Spirits Within” column spotlighted Patron, a brand which toasts the high life. So for this week’s column, we’re turning our attention to the hard workers, the true backbone of not only this country, but the whole world.
Tonight we’re toasting El Jimador, a spirit whose very name honors the men and women who make enjoying tequila possible.
It’s no secret that the Weber Blue Agave plant contains the special ingredient found in many of the world’s finest tequilas. The sweet nectar flowing through these plants fuels margaritas all summer long and we drink these tasty beverages as if they come from a never-ending tequila spout.
Yet, somewhere out in the world, there lurks a select society of committed individuals who spend countless hours working in the unforgiving sun while harvesting fields overflowing with agave plants. These few tireless workers are called “jimadors,” and without their tireless work there would be no tequila.
Harvesting an agave plant not only takes a tremendous amount of patience (most plants peak after 8-12 years of life) but also requires precision and a keen eye for perfection. If the jimador cuts the plant before it has reached maturity, the spirit will taste overly sweet. Years of cultivation will be wasted.
In order to avoid this disastrous fate, the jimador uses an almost sixth-sense-style of intuition while carefully inspecting each plant. With a medieval-inspired blade called the “coa de jima” (which in earlier centuries could be used to defend a village against attacking barbarians), the jimador removes the flower from the plant, inciting the initial stages of the tequila-crafting process.
By proudly displaying authenticity, learned skill, and a true dedication to the chosen craft, the jimador embodies every admirable quality desired in a human being. And that’s why El Jimador decided to name their award-winning brand after these exceptional individuals.
Named Mexico’s number-one “100 Percent Agave Tequila,” El Jimador prides itself on being the preferred choice for tequila purists all over the world. Enjoying El Jimador doesn’t require fast cars or fat wallets. It only asks for authenticity.
It’s hard to go wrong mixing up margaritas on a hot, muggy Southern summer afternoon, but it’s late August now, and I’m sure we’ve all tasted many versions of this classic cocktail. So for originality sake, let’s stir up a Tequila Sunrise. This refreshing, and quite colorful beverage gained popularity in California during the ’70s.
Mix up six parts orange juice, one part grenadine syrup and three parts El Jimador tequila. With a glass full of ice, add the tequila and the orange juice. Pour the syrup in last and it will sink to the bottom. The colors blend together to create a visual akin to watching the sunset drape across the ocean.
There’s no better drink to have in your hand while late summer blends into early fall.
Just like the Chattahooligans, El Jimador loves soccer, and they are the “Official Tequila Sponsor” of Major League Soccer, the U.S Men’s and Women’s National Teams, and the annual U.S. Tour of the Mexican National Team.
Whether you’re at the game, or watching it at home on the flat screen, El Jimador promises to fuel your excitement and energy while you cheer your team to victory.
From the agave fields to the soccer fields, El Jimador is tequila which unites people of all backgrounds. It’s a universal brand that can be enjoyed after a long day at work or while celebrating your favorite sport. Just remember, next time you’re about to enjoy a taste of El Jimador, salute the actual jimadors who made that drink possible. Cheers.
Christopher Armstrong was born in Knoxville, Tennessee on a brisk morning in November when the stars aligned and Jupiter was visible with the naked eye. He enjoys the changing of seasons, vinyl records, books with lots of pages and beer that is too expensive for him to ever buy.